With the Week 9 games up this weekend the National Football League finds itself with two undefeated teams, and one winless crew, remaining.
The results from last weekend went a long way toward eliminating teams with the potential for perfect - all winning or all losing - records. Going into Week 8 there were six teams sitting either undefeated or winless.
On the plus side: Indianapolis, New Orleans, Denver
On the negative side: Tennessee, Tampa Bay, St. Louis
The Ravens used strong D to hand the Broncos their first loss of the year. The Titans got a massive performance from Chris Johnson and managed to capture their first win of the season over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Lions were gracious enough to save the Rams from suffering the same fate they did in 2008 as St. Louis scored their first "W" in Detroit.
It is down to three all or nothing teams with the Colts and Saints (both 7-0) and the hapless Bucs (0-7).
Fans have been witness to two straight years of perfect regular season records. The Patriots went an awe inspiring 16-0 two seasons ago before falling to New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Last season Detroit was a jaw-droppingly awful 0-16. They finally had their Super Bowl this season in Week 3 when they defeated the Washington Redskins to end their 19-game losing streak.
For the two 7-0 candidates this season, there is plenty more football to play and achieving a perfect record is never easy - injuries, players having off days and any number of other things factor into the equation. For the Bucs, the saying about "any team on any given Sunday" comes to mind.
Here are their remaining nine games:
Colts: Week 9 vs HOU | 10 vs NE | 11 @ BAL | 12 @ HOU | 13 vs TEN | 14 vs DEN | 15 @ JAC | 16 vs NYJ | 17 @ BUF
Saints: Week 9 vs CAR | 10 @ STL | 11 @ TAM | 12 vs NE | 13 @ WAS | 14 @ ATL | 15 vs DAL | 16 vs TB | 17 @ CAR
Buccaneers: Week 9 vs GB | 10 @ MIA | 11 vs NO | 12 @ ATL | 13 @ CAR | 14 vs NYJ | 15 @ SEA | 16 @ NO | 17 vs ATL
The Colts have a few rough games ahead with the Patriots, Ravens, Broncos and two with the improving Houston Texans. The Saints also have New England on their schedule, but look to have an easier route ahead than Indy.
But, when projecting wins and losses, the Bucs look to have the toughest back nine. Of course when a team begins 0-7 it's pretty much a given that every game they play will be a challenge. A second straight year with an 0-16 team could be a possibility.
So now it's up to you. Do the Colts, Saints or Bucs have a real shot at a "perfect" season? Put on your prognostication helmets and let us know which team's streak will continue the longest.
Drop us a line (keep it between 25-200 words), include your name and city and maybe we'll post your answer. Send your email to NFL@tsn.ca. If you are the rapid reply type hit the Your Call button below.
The way the Saints and Colts are both playing, I see them BOTH meeting in the Super Bowl with a perfect record. That being said, it's very unlikely that it would happen this way. Both teams have very tough games coming up, both playing the ever improving Patriots, Colts playing Baltimore and Denver, and the Saints with another stiff test with the Falcons and a game against Dallas who seems to be getting better every week.
It is only a matter of time before Brees gets out of his "slump" and Manning is possibly playing the best ball of his carrer. Therefore, I do think it is possible that we could have a "Perfect" Super Bowl.
Tampa Bay may not win a game this season. Although, I did say that about Oakland at the beginning of the season.
JP Lenshyn - Winnipeg, MB
As a fan, it would be a tough pill to swallow, but the best thing that could happen to the Bucs this year would be to go 0-16. With all of the departed veterans, and the turmoil their defence finds itself in, a #1 draft pic could prove to be the catalyst that starts the rebuilding process in earnest. Good crop this year, too.
And the Saints definitely have the chops to pull off the perfect season. Each of their remaining games are win-able. Expect them to pull it off, as long as they can withstand the pressure of the spotlight down the home stretch.
Craig Soden
The Saints are going to be the team to continue their perfect record. They are facing the Panthers then the Rams both coming off their first win, after that it gets tougher when they face New England and if Denver could beat New England, New Orleans can too.
Martin
The Colts are coming up to their tougher part of the season. They have Baltimore, NE, and DEN. Those will be tough games to win.
With New Orleans I can see them in tough battles with New England and the improving Cowboys.
The way I see it if the Saints get past the Boys and Pats they have the chance for perfection. But what's more important having a healthy squad for the playoffs or a perfect regular season. We will see in December if these two teams are still perfect.
Jef - Edmonton, AB
I think the Saints stand a chance at going unbeaten…even though I'm a huge Cowboys fan. They stack up nicely on the road with their remaining schedule and really their only tough, tough games are with NE & Dallas. Atlanta will be tough too
The Colts will lose before the Bucs win that's for sure. Indy hasn't looked like a 7-0 team – with a dying last second win over Miami and a close one over San Fran. The Jax game was close too
The Bucs do have some tough games…I think they stack up nicely against the Hawks. This is a late season game, Seattle won't have anything to play for, all kinds of injuries, and Cadillac will have a big game.
Brad Smith – Kitchener, ON